Healthcare Acquired Infections Flashcards Preview

M - Infections (Unknown) > Healthcare Acquired Infections > Flashcards

Flashcards in Healthcare Acquired Infections Deck (14)
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1
Q

Define a healthcare acquired infection?

A

One that arises >48hrs post admission or <48 hours post-discharge
A bit arbitrary

2
Q

What are the msot common sites for HAIs and what causes them?

A
UTIs - Catheters
Surgical Sites
Resp Infection - A lot associated with intubation
Bloodstream - Related to central lines
GI
Skin/soft tissue
3
Q

What methods do we have to kill off pathogens?

A

1) Cleaning
2) Disinfection
3) Sterilisation

4
Q

How does cleaning work?

A

Physical removal of organic material with detergent and water (then allowed to dry)
Used for low risk objects that make intact skin contact like stethoscopes and mattresses

5
Q

How does Disinfection work?

A

Either by heat (Pasteurisation or boiling) OR Chemical (e.g. alcohol & Chlorhexidine).

Used for medium risk items that make mucous membrane contact e.g. vaginal speculae, endoscopes an bedpans

6
Q

How does sterilisation work?

A

Destroys all microbes an spores, several methods:

  • Hot air Oven
  • Autoclave (high pressure steam)
  • Gas (Ethylene Dioxide)
  • Ionising Radiation

Used for high risk items like surgical instruments

7
Q

Define an outbreak?

A

2 or more cases linked in time and place. Important to confirm that its the same strain with typing e.g. serotyping for viruses

8
Q

What control measures can we use to prevent spread of an outbreak?

A
  • Single rooms
  • Cohorting infected patients
  • Ward Closure
  • Reinforce IPC measures
  • Staff exclusion
  • Staff decolonisation
9
Q

When would we exclude certain staff from patients?

A

if they’re not immune e,g. a VZV outbreak

If they’re colonised e.g. with MRSA

10
Q

What is the major HAI?

A

CLostridium Difficile. The most common type of Antibiotic Associated Diarrhoea (AAD)

11
Q

How do you catch C. Diff?

A

Can be endogenous (commensal in the patients gut) or exogenous (picked up from the environment).

Usually infection is triggered by antibiotic use that kills off the commensal gut flora, especially:

  • Cephalosporins
  • Co-amoxiclav
  • Ceftriaxone & other quinalones
  • Clindamycin
12
Q

How does a C.Diff infection present?

A
  • Diarrhoea
  • Special Odour of their faeces
  • Abdo pain, pyrexia & Leucocytosis
  • Pseudomembranous colitis
13
Q

How do we treat a C. Diff infection?

A
Stop predisposing Abx if possible
Only treat symptomatic patients:
- Oral Metronidazole
- Oral Vancomycin if severe or metro fails
- Oral Fidaxomicin for relapses
14
Q

Give some examples of other HAIs and mode of transmission?

A

Droplet - TB or Neisseria Meningitidis
Direct - Staph Aureus
Faecal-Oral - Salmonella or C. Diff
Penetrating injury - Group A Strep & Viruses